First of all, this is not an advertisement; however…

A week ago, I spent a week in Rockport, Maine, attending the Maine Media Workshop. Maine Media has a number of workshops, most of which I would love to attend. In fact, I met several people who were spending their entire summer attending many, if not all the courses. I can understand why. Rockport is beautiful. The Maine Media workshop is exciting. The subject matter is engaging. And, most importantly, the people you meet are inspiring.

I was attending the Director’s Craft workshop, under the tutelage of Alan Myerson (look him up on IMDB, or, google him). I wanted to brush up on my directorial skills after spending the last few years exclusively working on documentaries. Alan was wonderful to work with. Under his direction, we spent the week working with some amazing actors. Alan took us through the process of auditioning, rehearsing, blocking/staging scenes and finally, shooting a scene. There were nine of us in the workshop. We had plenty of individual attention. We were able to explore our vision with the actors, and help the actors reach a level of performance that was awe inspiring. Alan was perceptive and insightful in helping us expand our directorial skill set. He was kind as he shepherded nine aspiring directors with widely varying skills and experience. And, he was responsible for bringing some amazingly talented actors.

Our days in the workshop were long, exhausting and invigorating. Each morning and each evening, I had a ten minute walk from my hotel to the campus, through a forest and past New England homes and farmhouses. One evening, long after dark, I stopped to consider the day. As I looked through the darkness enveloping a meadow, I saw hundreds, maybe even ten-thousand fireflies. Completely magical. Owl city must have been there before me. The next morning on my way back to campus, I stopped again, to consider the wild flowers where the fire flies had been.

On our last night of the workshop, Maine Media put on an all-you-can-eat lobster feed. There really isn’t anything quite like Maine lobster. After dinner, we watched a show of the weeks production work and then went out with our workshop group for a wrap party. I don’t think any of us were anxious to go back to the real world. However, we all knew that we could go back to our real lives and carry with us the gift of renewal and inspiration our week of hard work had brought.

I came to Maine with a hope to increase my skill set. I gained a wealth of new friends. I left Maine inspired by possibilities.

On my last day there, I turned on my still camera.

I don’t think I have ever seen such vibrant green as in Maine.

All you can eat lobster feed on the last night of our workshop.

70 Camden Street, Rockport, ME 04856

Spider webs are an indication that this hydrant doesn’t get a lot of use. It rains a lot in Maine.

Not sure what it says, but I like it.

In a meadow near campus, wildflowers flourish.

Although they say that if you don’t like the weather in New England, wait a minute. Fortunately, I liked the weather.

Time for a new coat?

I hope the roof doesn’t leak.

Even with more information I still couldn’t figure it out.

The summer days are long. The sunsets are beautifully impressionistic.

Not sure what it does, but it looks kind of cool.

The setting sun creates interesting shapes and lines on the third floor staff residence building.

The weather in New England is harsh. Anything with or without paint is weathered.

In the summer, the weather is inviting. In the winter, wood burning stoves are essential. I’ve never been so cold in my life as the winter I spent in Maine.